Parents' Guide to

State of Affairs

By Kari Croop, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Complicated D.C. drama has a fierce but flawed heroine.

TV NBC Drama 2014
State of Affairs Poster Image

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What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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What's the Story?

Three years after her fiancé -- sitting president Constance Payton's (Alfre Woodard) son -- died in a terrorist attack, top CIA analyst Charleston "Charlie" Tucker (Katherine Heigl) is still looking for the killers who carried it out. But Charlie and her team are also tasked with preparing the President's daily briefing, or PDB, a rotating roster of the most pressing security issues facing the nation, which means Charlie's STATE OF AFFAIRS is constantly changing.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (1):

Primetime hits such as Scandal, The Good Wife, and Homeland are proof that political thrillers built around strong female leads can be popular with both viewers and critics, breaking new ground along the way for women in television. But, although the similarly themed State of Affairs is clearly aiming for the A-list with stars such as Heigl and Woodard, it feels like it's a little late to the party -- and that it got lost along the way.

The cons include a plot that vacillates among the convoluted, the confusing, and the flat-out improbable, with a lead actress who, although likable, isn't always believable as a high-level CIA operative at the top of her game. As far as pros go, though, the show shoves aside outdated boundaries by making the U.S. president not only a woman but a woman of color, broadening the standard definition of "executive power" and rolling out a refreshing new role model.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about State of Affairs' premise and how realistically it portrays the lives of women in power. What does it get right -- and wrong? Does the fact that the show's fictional president is a woman (and a woman of color) change the feel of the White House?

  • How does State of Affairs compare to other dramas about high-powered women in leadership roles (Scandal, Madam Secretary, Homeland)? Does it do anything differently, and, if so, does it work?

  • How does State of Affairs' central heroine rate as a role model, and how heavily do her flaws factor in?

TV Details

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Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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